Quick story before we get into the glass because this one has a good one.

There is a store around here that is notorious for pricing things at whatever number they feel like that day. I walk in and there’s this E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Rye sitting on the shelf at $399.99. Secondary on these is running around $450 so I get it, the math technically works if you’re that person. I am not that person. I looked at it, looked at the guy behind the counter, and said that’s a little pricey don’t you think. He shrugged and said maybe. Pulled it up in the computer. Asked me what I’d pay. I said $200. Probably should have gone lower. He said bet. I walked out with it.

Paid well over retail, which is $77.99 by the way, but this is Friday and we’re opening it so here we are.

One more quick note. I had a chance to try this at Peaks and Pours and loved it. Left that table thinking I’d probably never own a bottle. Funny how things work out.

126 proof. Limited release. Uncut, unfiltered straight rye. The 13th release in the E.H. Taylor Collection and the first time they’ve done a barrel proof rye. That last part matters and I’ll get back to it.

Nice pop. No smoke on the fresh crack.

The nose is exactly what a great rye should smell like. Beautiful baking spice right up front. This is going to sound strange if you’ve never been to New Mexico but it smells like Biscochitos. If you know you know. That anise seed and cinnamon spice on a fresh baked cookie. That’s the nose. There’s also a really sweet vanilla ice cream note running underneath all of it that you wouldn’t necessarily expect at 126 proof. It doesn’t smell hot. At all.

The palate drinks significantly under proof. If you handed me this blind and told me nothing I’d guess 105 to 110, not 126. Beautiful baking spice, that vanilla note carrying right over from the nose, and just a really well integrated warmth that sits in the chest rather than announcing itself on the palate. It’s a refined sip that doesn’t ask you to work for it.

The finish brings more of those Biscochito notes. That anise quality lingers in the best way, a touch of cinnamon, and then that vanilla just kind of resonates and sits there. Mouthfeel on the finish is lovely. Long, warm, and exactly what you want from a barrel proof pour.

Now on price. You already know I paid $200 for this. That’s my threshold and I’m standing by it. Retail is $77.99 and if you see one at that price you already know what to do. With the bourbon market softening a little right now you might be able to talk some of these sellers down from their asking price if you’re patient and willing to have the conversation. I’ve seen this thing priced as high as $799.99 locally, which is genuinely unhinged. Don’t do that.

I know people who hate this bottle and I genuinely don’t understand it. What I do understand is that being the first barrel proof rye in the E.H. Taylor Collection makes it a collector’s item and that’s probably driving some of the buying behavior from people who won’t even open it. Their loss.

If you like straight rye this is a buy at the right price. No more than $200. Under $100 it’s an absolute no-brainer.

Glad I negotiated. Glad I opened it.

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